As far as my limited use of both cameras- I'll have to agree the FX-1 is better in low light video retaining a smooth video albeit darker as where the A1 video becomes noisy and grainy......I've tried 24F and 30F (on the Canon) and the Sony is definitely better at 0-3-6db of gain- at higher gain the FX shows it's advantge even more.

As much as I like this new A1- the FX-1 seems better at equal settings to that of the A1. At room light and higher levels- they produce good video but the FX1 is noticeably smoother and noise-free as the light drops off. There's a switch on the Canon to turn off the AGC circuit and this easily reveals the FX-1's superior low-light shooting abilities (when comparing db levels)

If anyone shoots allot of low-light video- look at the FX-1/Z1-U (bars, clubs, concerts etc) the XH-A1 gives the better lens range and possibilities but only in decent light and up.
I prefer the A1 as it suits my needs and is a general better fit for me- the Sony is large and long and can't trigger a Firestore FS-4HD remotely whereas the Canon does.....the Canon is a keeper!

That would be true Scharkey.

Looks like I am going to have to get out and do some more lowlight stuff. With due respect - Why would I be shooting in a small street with crappy lighting at night again?

Noel Evans, very funny. I just stepped out my door, in the cold, in my robe, and started shooting. I didn't think too much about it except, maybe an example and comparision would be interesting.

I thought it was an excellent sample and well done and i thank you for doing it and posting it Richard.

You are welcome. I was hoping someone would post something similiar for comparision. The city clips with cars passing by are too bright for comparision IMO.

It is dark where I live and we complain about it all the time. It is so dark that I had my car stolen because the thieves feel comfortable playing in the shadows.

No worries Matthew. Not taking it as criticism.

I am not expecting miracles in lowlight but I am expecting it to be at least as good as my FX or else it is not worth switching over for me.

I have been experimenting with the different settings that some have posted and it has definitely improved the picture overall in terms of saturation etc but not the lowlight performance as much.

Steve, have you tried to import any 24f or 30f footage into FCP?

I am having trouble with it.

I am using 5.1.2 and import it with the 1080/24 easy set-up and it is really buggy and I am getting bad tearing of the video.

Noel! HELP! - I can't download your JPG? How BIG (mbs) is it?

TIA - g

My webserver is currently offline, Im waiting for my host to get in touch so I can give me a dose of why is this the fourth time in four weeks, get your *$#& together.

With reference to the low light, the pd170 only shoots 60i so I will do some shots at that level. 0 gain, +6 gain and +12 gain.

Should be able to throw something up later.

I have one serious issue overall here when comparing apples with Bananas. When we talk about low light performance there is more to it than just lux rating. How about other functions available within the camera itself to handle dark areas?

Daniel I am using FCP 5.1.2 and using the easy setup as stated. I am not having any issues at all.

Steve, if you try to match the picture on the cameras, in room light, for instance, to make brightness of both equal (even if the gain value isn't the same), does the A1 still reveal more noise/grain? Have you followed the advice from some people round here, concerning black stretch and noise reduction?
Thanks for your time... Looking forward to more footage from this camera!

I'll try the settings people are recommending and perhaps post a vid cap.....my observations so far indicate the Sony FX-1 produces smoother video at lower light levels than the Canon- but I'll try to even this out by tweaking the A1 to compete.

~~The Sony can also be tweaked to further improve noise (detail coring etc) so this can go on forever ~~

I believe the sensors on the Canon are 1/4" and the Sony 1/3" meaning all things being equal (which they're not) normally light sensativity is better with larger sensors meaning the Sony "should" produce better video. You really can't measure these 2 cams directly as they're made by 2 seperate companies so a direct comparo isn't technically valid.

I'm happier with the Canon for reasons stated earlier......I'll be happiest when these HD cams record directly to internal HD's with NLE friendly file format choices and when they approach the "best" size for me which is the size of the JVC's HD10U/1: which I found to be perfect!

Let the games begin~

HD=PAL and NTSC!!!????
 

Wow...never knew that. i guess thats better being that i can screen a HD film here in Atlanta...as well in Japan without format change.
This stuff is getting so easy now...

Maybe you'd better check the specs. again, Steve. IIRC, Sony FX1/Z1 and Canon XL-H1/XH-A1/XH-G1 all use 3 x 1/3" CCDs. (I've seen comments elsewhere that Canon buy their CCDs from Sony, so maybe the chips in these cameras are actually the same??) Are you perhaps thinking of the old XM2/GL2 which uses 3 x 1/4" CCDs? This is an oft-mentioned difference between the XM2 and Sony's VX2100/PD170...

I think you have these switched around the canon has the bigger sensors